Event agenda

Opening Ceremony with Shannon Jenkins, Alyssia Kugler, Regula Bleuler

Startup Nights begins with Alyssia Kugler, Regula Bleuler and Shannon Jenkins, our moderation for the first day of Startup Nights. Get ready for energy, inspiration, and the perfect start to two days of innovation and entrepreneurship.

Thinking big while creating immediate impact: Redefining how products are built with AI | Tony Beltramelli (Miro)

Tony Beltramelli (Miro, ex-Uizard) shows how AI can be your ultimate co-founder. Learn how to rethink product building from day one and discover how AI is reshaping the way startups innovate, scale, and succeed.

Speed-Networking: How ready is your business for the unexpected?

Uncertainty affects us all. Here we are coming together to share approaches that build preparedness for the unexpected.

Scaling deep tech: How startups become strategic partners to enterprise customers | Gregory Hitz (Sevensense by ABB), Florian Gaede (Nordcloud), Enzo Wälchli (ANYbotics)

Gregory Hitz, Florian Gaede, and Enzo Wälchli discuss how deep tech startups evolve into strategic partners for enterprise clients. A panel on scaling innovation, trust, and impact.

Know your numbers, own your business: Accounting crash course for founders and self-employed

Are your financials ready for year-end closing - and are your processes ready for your next big growth step?

Between innovation and adoption: Building the ultimate Bitcoin App | Julian Liniger (Relai)

Relai CEO Julian Liniger shares the highs, lows, and real lessons from building Europe’s leading Bitcoin app—from near-failure to $1B in volume and 100k+ users.

Deep Tech Pitching Competition powered by ABB

See the future of innovation at the Deep Tech Pitching Competition powered by ABB. Startups are currently in the application process. The finalists for the main stage will be announced end of October.

Break

Grab a drink and check out the next program slots! :)

Speed-Networking: The value of customer feedback - experience it here and now

Share your ideas and MVPs to get feedback right in the moment at Startup Nights. Or discuss your experience with iterative product developement with the questions below.

Smart Mobility – Aktuelle und zukünftige Technologien für e-Fahrzeuge | HAW

Wie geht es weiter mit der E-Mobilität und der dafür benötigten Batterieleistungen? Siehe volles Programm auf der HAW Website: https://www.haw.ch/startup-nights-2025-smart-machines

Growing Switzerland’s Deep Tech Future

Switzerland excels at science—now comes the hard part: turning breakthroughs into enduring companies. Join Joanne Sieber, Andrew Reid and Christian Wenger for a fast conversation on what’s working, what isn’t, and how to keep IP and talent in Switzerland.

How tech is changing healthcare for good | Gregory Inauen (grape insurance), Tim Seithe (Aeon.life)

Discover how Gregory Inauen (grape) and Tim Seithe (Aeon) are redefining healthcare with insurtech and preventive health tech. A panel on how innovation makes well-being smarter, proactive, and more impactful.

Health Tech Pitching Competition

Witness the future of healthcare at the Health Tech Pitching Competition.

Growth Starts with SALES - Live Lessons from Switzerland’s Top Sellers

The Swiss Sales Trophy Final turns selling into a live show. Experience how 3 sales reps create opportunities, build trust, handle pressure, and win customers. They will negotiate live on stage, and you can evaluate their performance.

Break

Grab a drink and check out the next program slots! :)

Speed-Networking: Hype vs. value - Which technologies are real game-changers and which are just a hype?

Which technologies are real game-changers – and which just hype? Let's discuss!

Good tech, great Impact: Why purpose is allowed to be profitable | Nicole Kleger (sallea), Sarah Harbarth (KUORI)

Discover how founders Nicole Kleger (sallea AG) and Sarah Harbarth (KUORI) prove that tackling global challenges with innovation can also drive strong business success.

Plastic pollution is a catastrophe — but solvable through impact investing | Khalil Radi (Buy Food with Plastic)

"The plastic crisis isn't complex. We just need courage to act." Khalil Radi (Buy Food with Plastic) shows how turning ideas into action can tackle two global crises at once — poverty and plastic waste.

Female Founders & Investors Meetup by Swiss Startup Association

Join the Female Founders & Investors Meetup at Startup Nights! Register (for free) to get entrance: https://swissstartupassociation-8396720.hs-sites.com/34547709294

From Spark to Impact - Technology for Life and Planet | Thomas Schori (tide Ocean), Lukas Langenegger (hemotune) - UBS Global Visionaries

Curdin Duschletta, Head of Social Impact and Philanthropy (UBS) Thomas Schori - Captain and CEO of Tide Lukas Langenegger, CEO and Co-Founder of hemotune

Impact Tech Pitching Competition powered by UBS

The Impact Tech Pitching Competition powered by UBS proves that scalable business and meaningful change can thrive together.

Break

Grab a drink and check out the next program slots! :)

Speed-Networking: Innovation through collaboration between Startups and SME

What happens when fresh ideas from start-ups meet experience from SMEs? SMEs gain fresh ideas, startups gain real-world access.

Turning robots into accessible workforces for everyone | Nimrod Malinas (Robonnement)

Robonnement founder Nimrod Malinas shares how bold thinking and smart business models can turn robots into accessible workforces for every company — not just tech giants.

The Power of Change - How Bold Moves Shape the Future | Xavier Ducarroz (Philip Morris Switzerland), Andreas Goeldi (b2venture), Laura Matter (noii), Stefan Zanetti (Pivotal)

Dare to decarbonize: The challenges of building a new fuel economy in a fossil system

Philipp Furler (Synhelion) explores what it truly takes to decarbonize one of the world’s most fossil-locked systems — fuel. From scientific rigor to entrepreneurial courage, he shares the journey of building a solar-powered fuel economy against all odds.

Award Ceremony for Deep Tech, Health Tech and Impact Tech Awards

Celebrate the winners during the Award Ceremony of the Deep Tech, Health Tech and Impact Tech Pitching Competition.

Opening Ceremony with Moderator Ben Munday

Kick off Day 2 at Startup Nights with the Opening Ceremony setting the tone for another inspiring day of bold ideas, powerful stories, and meaningful connections.

Built here, made to scale – The challenges of building global players from Switzerland

What does it take to build a startup in Switzerland that’s made to scale globally? Founder Antonia Unger (Arqh) and investor Adrian Locher (Merantix) share insights from both sides of the table.

Beyond limits: What startups can learn from champions | Simon Ehammer (Professional Athlete in Track and Field)

World Champion and record-breaking athlete Simon Ehammer shares what startups can learn from elite sports, from resilience to performance, in a fireside chat on pushing limits and winning big.

Panel Talk zu Digital Health - Von der Vision zur Realität | House of Winterthur (Deutsch)

Co-Founder Matchmaking by Launch Control

Successful startups need strong teams. At our Co-Founder Matchmaking, we connect innovative founders with committed individuals!

First customers, real revenue: The truth about the Go-To-Market Challenge

Serial founders Tobias Häckermann (SHERPANY) and Jeremias Meier (bexio, Paymira) share together with Tino Albrecht (SAP for Startups) unfiltered lessons on the toughest startup hurdle: landing first customers and scaling real revenue.

The role of a pioneer: Building before it makes sense | Samy Liechti (BLACKSOCKS)

Samy Liechti (BLACKSOCKS) shares how pioneering ideas often look crazy before they succeed. From building one of the first e-commerce subscription models to coaching founders, he reveals what it takes to build before it makes sense.

Talentkick Pitches

Finalists of the Talentkick Program present their business ideas in short pitches.

Top 3 Finalists - Pitches from the winners of the Pitching Competitions on Day 1

Vote for your favourite startup and make it win the audience voting for additional recognition!🚀

The real investment case is your team | Jürg Schwarzenbach (known from Höhle der Löwen) - Deutsch

Investor Jürg Schwarzenbach (Höhle der Löwen Schweiz, Payrexx, Carvolution) shares why the real investment case isn’t the product or market — it’s the team. Learn what makes founders truly fundable. This fireside chat will be held in German.

Speed-Networking: Finding investors that really match

The right investor brings not only capital but alignment, trust, and long-term perspective; a mismatch can slow growth or shift focus. This session calls for founders and investors who care about the perfect match, not just on fundraising capital and ROI.

How AI-Agents Transform Modern Go-To-Market Strategies | Joel Capt (Peakora)

The AI revolution has fundamentally impacted the way modern businesses can win new clients today. In this session, you dive into the possibilities of AI for building a fully automated sales system and unlock unseen efficiency to boost your growth.

Why Some startup stories make headlines, and others don't - Insights von Tages-Anzeiger, Handelszeitung, Forbes, Blick, Startupticker.ch

Europe vs. Silicon Valley: Building the Future of Innovation | Petter Made (Founder SumUp) - Live-Podcast with Swisspreneur

Live with Swisspreneur, Petter Made (SumUp, EWOR) explores Europe vs. Silicon Valley. From scaling an €8B fintech to backing founders, he shares lessons on speed, culture, and building the future of innovation.

Speed-Networking: How to choose the right business model to make your company future-proof?

Everyone seeks stable income streams. Let's discuss strategies to build multiple income streams or acess a specific niche.

Female Founder: One Size Fits All? | AXA

Is the label "female founder" a benefit or rather a burden? In this panel discussion, female entrepreneurs explore both the advantages and disadvantages of such a label.

From niche to everywhere: Building a global brand on day one | Catarina Dahlin (Dagsmejan)

Catarina Dahlin (Dagsmejan) shares how she turned functional sleepwear into a global brand sold in 100+ countries. A keynote on bold ideas, fast growth, and building global impact from day one.

Speed-Networking: Growing through channel partnerships and ecosystem strategy

Collaboration beats competition – how can partnerships expand your impact? Partnerships expand reach and combine strengths of agility and reliability

From grants to Growth capital: Advice for your fundraising journey | Christoph Falk (Innosuisse), Christian Marty (Evulpo), Andreas Schenk (Alstin Capital), Andrea Silberschmidt-Buhofer (EquityPitcher Ventures)

Christoph Falk, Christian Marty, Andreas Schenk and Andrea Silberschmidt-Buhofer share insights on fundraising — from grants to growth capital — and how founders can build investor trust, secure funding, and scale sustainably.

From St. Gallen to New York, how scaling works | Roger Dudler (Frontify)

Roger Dudler (Frontify) shares how he scaled from St. Gallen to New York, growing to 300+ staff and 10,000+ clients like Uber and Microsoft. A keynote on building global impact while staying true to your vision.

Award Ceremony – Finalist Award and Youth Price

Official Startup Nights After Party @ Bolero (entry with your Startup Nights ticket)

We have an exclusive area reserved at Bolero from 10:00 pm, accessible with your startup nights ticket. You can enjoy a relaxed atmosphere with drinks and good company. Or, if you prefer, head into the club for the full party experience. 🥳